As the London regional winner in the Care Innovator category, John now takes his place on the national stage to see if he can become the GBHA 'Care Innovator' for 2012at the awards held on 12 May.

You will remember his product MindDice is a simple tool, which can be used in a care-home, hospital or domestic setting. It is an easily accessible reference point for personalised information about an individual with dementia and can be used by family, friends or other carers to aid conversation and communication.

John says of his product, "When my father had dementia I noticed him withdrawing from everyday interaction with other people. I designed a MindDice to prompt his memories and to keep him talking. An unexpected benefit was that family and friends also took to it as a way to overcome silences or distract from repetitive conversations and to engage with him."

"Winning the award would be a small but significant step towards improving the quality of life for people with dementia and for their carers." said John.

For more information about MindDice and to find out how to purchase one, visit www.minddice.co.uk or call 07985043165.

MindDice is to be used by carers as an integral part of a CASAL’s new home care service in South East London. In a training held in February CASAL trainees were introduced to MindDice and shown how to use it to establish a rapport with the people they care for.

Once the service goes live in April 2012 CASAL carers will use the MindDice to engage with their clients. ‘Prompts’ written on the MindDice will be the key to the person’s past so they can know the person. So rather than seeing the client simply as an old person in need of care they will be able to know of the person’s past and so help them retain a sense of self.

CASAL aims to help and support people so they can continue living in their own homes. The service aims also to provide the GoldStandard Care framework so people can be supported at home until their death.

Miguel Neves and his colleagues have set up CASAL with a respect for the lives of the people they care for and commitment to help to maintain it that way. Miguel has over 20 years of experience and is a past winner of the Greater London Mayor Award for recognition for his work in the Health & Social care area.

It is good news that the Quality Care Commission has announced it is to inspect home care services, and even better that they will focus on how people who use the services are respected and involved. Most care recipients prefer to stay in the own homes for as long as possible, but all too often this means their social interaction is minimal and they become isolated. It is imperative that carers looking after people in their homes appreciate their vital social role and that they are encouraged to engage with their clients.

MindDice is one tool which can facilitiate real dialogue between carers and clients to make home visits more of a pleasure for both parties.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission report highlights how the poor treatment of many older people is threatening their human rights. While it is quite proper that the QCC themed inspection should focus on the need to keep people safe, it should not lose sight of the need to look at how the quality of care can be improved so older people don't feel abandoned and forgotten in their own homes.

John Sprange has won the The Care Innovator Award at the Great London Care Awards through his work developing and producing MindDice.

At the Awards held on Saturday the judges citation read:

John through his personal experience with his father, has developed an exciting innovative tool, which he delivers with true enthusiasm. Mind Dice is an excellent communications stimulant helping to keep memories alive.

The Great London Care Awards are one of 9 UK Regional Care awards. The winners of each event enter The Great British Care Awards national final which will take place in June 2012.

Mind Dice has been piloted for over a year now in Sandwich Bay Ward, at the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother hospital, Margate East Kent. It has had a mention in the CQC DANI review of the hospital published in June 2011.

John Sprange and his product MindDice have been short listed for the Care Innovator award part of the Great London Care Awards, a regional part of a series of care awards which are being carried out across the country this Autumn.

He was interviewed by the judges at a session in London on 27September. The results will be announced at a Gala dinner on 22 October to be held in London.